Lichen planus: causes, symptoms, photos, treatment

In the long list of skin diseases that come under the general name “lichen,” the most troublesome are those that target the human genitals—both men and women. The first are bothered by lichen on the penis, itchy rashes on the testicles, the second suffer from irritation in the labia area. It is not always possible to accurately determine the cause of lichen. Fungi and viruses can provoke diseases of the genital organs, but doctors even suspect an autoimmune reaction in some “unsolved crimes.” However, lichens on the genitals can be cured quite successfully.

Causes

The culprit for the formation of lichen in the genital area can be various factors. Often the cause of rashes is:

decreased functions of the body's immune defense;
injury to the skin of the genital organs;
diseases of the reproductive organs of a chronic nature;
the occurrence of stressful situations, nervous tension;
genetic predisposition;
eating food that causes an allergic reaction;
failure to comply with intimate hygiene rules;
viral infections;
metabolic disorders;
contact with irritants – chemical household products, perfumes.

The more specific etiology depends on the type of class and form of lichen affecting the genitals.

Other diseases

Spots on the skin similar to lichen, but not lichen, can be a consequence of the body’s reaction to an infection, a response to an allergen, or have an inflammatory etiology.

Other reasons include:

allergy;
chickenpox;
measles, rubella;
scarlet fever;
eczema;
syphilis;
dermatitis;
pigment spots.

If a skin lesion is detected, it is not recommended to self-medicate. Only a qualified doctor will be able to determine the true cause of the rash using laboratory tests and prescribe comprehensive treatment.

Classification of species and methods of their treatment

The features of therapeutic actions when lichen appears in the genital area differ according to the nature of the lesions and the type of pathological process.

Lichen planus

The disease can affect both men and women. When pathology occurs in the vagina and vulva, the following symptoms appear:

changes in skin color - redness or light pale shades are observed, as well as the formation of white stripes;
burning in the affected areas, pain;
with deep damage to the skin, red spots form;
sticky liquid mixed with blood may be released;
the entrance area of the vagina narrows.

Men are mainly affected by this type of deprivation of the penis. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

the head of the genital organ is covered with ring-shaped spots of white and purple shades;
the rash is not itchy;
the resulting papules have a characteristic shine and a flat base.

When treating lichen planus, it is important to follow a fortified diet.
Treatment of lichen planus of the genital organs is based on following a dietary diet that excludes the intake of junk food, eliminating the general symptoms of the disease and eliminating the causes that cause the development of the pathology. For this, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:

to relieve itching and inflammation, corticosteroid ointments - Fluocinonide, Clobetasol and Elokom;
antihistamines - Erius, Tavegil, Claretin;
immunosuppressants based on chloroquine for the spread of lesions - “Delagil” or “Plaquenil”;
antibiotics in the presence of complications in the form of ointments and tablets - “Tetracycline”;
sedatives to reduce nervous excitability - motherwort, valerian;
retinoids that normalize the keratinization process - “Neotigazon” or “Tigazon”.

To strengthen the immune system, a fortified diet is required. All drugs for the treatment of genital lichen planus are prescribed exclusively by a doctor.

Pityriasis versicolor

This skin disease is caused by a fungus. Pityriasis versicolor or pityriasis rosea on the genitals does not occur often. The infection is caused by the fungus Pityrosporum orbiculare. The main symptoms of this type of genital damage are:

the formation of round spots with uneven edges;
peeling of the affected areas.

The spots may be red, brown or pink. Over time, they increase in size and spread over the skin of the genitals. In this case, the rashes become discolored. Sometimes itchy sensations occur.

Pityriasis versicolor is not dangerous if treated in a timely manner.

Fluconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug

To eliminate the pathology, local therapy is used:

ointments and creams - Miconazole, Ketoconazole or Econazole;
for severe lesions, antifungal drugs in the form of tablets - Fluconazole, Itraconazole.

If there is itching in the genital area with lichen versicolor, treatment is supplemented with antihistamines - Zyrtec, Claretin, Erius. It is also recommended to wipe the areas of skin affected by lichen with resorcinol or salicylic alcohol.

Pityriasis rosea

This disease is infectious and allergic in nature. It can occur on the human genitals, as well as on the back, abdomen and chest. Infection with pityriasis rosea has the following symptoms:

small pink rash;
the appearance of yellow color in the central part of the spots;
the formation of a large number of skin scales.

There is no itching or pain in the affected areas. Sometimes the symptoms go away on their own after two months.

Treatment for pityriasis rosea consists of a diet enriched with vitamins and the exclusion of allergenic foods from the daily diet. At the same time, patients should not irritate the skin during water procedures with washcloths or detergents with fragrances. Also use the towel carefully after washing. For severe lesions, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines and antibiotics.

Scleroatrophic

Pathology occurs mainly in the genital area. It can affect the genitals of both men and women. Genital lichen sclerosus has the following general symptoms:

the presence of plaques with pronounced white borders;
formation of blisters with hemorrhagic filling and erosions;
dysfunction of the urinary system;
itching;
formation of scars at the site of lesions.

When treating the disease, glucocorticoid ointments are used - “Cloveit”, “Dermovate”. The treatment is quite long-term. For complications, calcineurin inhibitors and retinoids are prescribed. To eliminate itching - sedatives.

When treating lichen sclerosus in men, surgical methods are often used. They are aimed at circumcision of the foreskin, which subsequently eliminates the occurrence of relapses.

The danger of complications of this type of genital lichen is that in the absence of therapeutic action, the disease can take on an oncological character. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in 1 percent of cases. The pathology mainly occurs in patients who have not sought help from a doctor for a long time.

Characteristics of lichen planus

The disease manifests itself in the form of rashes - papules. Their sizes can vary significantly, and some formations merge with each other.

Their shape is called irregular because the rashes are flat. The color can vary from light to pink or blue. Their main difference from other types of lichen is their shiny surface.

It is not difficult to distinguish this type of lichen in the groin in men from other pathological changes when lubricating the skin with oil. In addition, a fine mesh can be found on the affected area, which determines this type of disease.

If the skin is damaged, new papules may form in this area. The following types of lichen occur on the surface of the genital organ:

with the ring-shaped type, the papule begins to sink and a ring forms around it;
the serpiginous type of the disease involves the appearance of rashes in the form of clear figures;
on all sides the papules are covered with scales in lichen corneum;
hypertrophic lichen causes the formation of entire groups of blue papules;
with lichen pigmentosa, a small spot first appears, and then a papule appears in its place;
lichen vesica causes the appearance of small blisters on the surface of the skin, which are filled with blood and therefore have a characteristic bright color;
with a flattened form of the disease, all formations have a flattened shape and a small depression in the middle.

Effective ointments/creams for lichen on human skin

If such a rash occurs, intolerable itching may occur. At the same time, the urinary process is not disrupted. However, sexual functions may be affected due to painful acts.

Diagnostics

The effectiveness of treatment for genital deprivation depends on the correct diagnosis. This is due to the fact that different types of lesions require and apply their own therapeutic methods.

To study the type of rash on the genitals, the following techniques are used:

visual inspection;
microscopy;
biopsy;
allergy tests.

Since many manifestations of lichen on the genitals are quite similar to other skin diseases, a number of other studies may be prescribed. Additionally, an examination is carried out by an immunologist and an allergist.

Localization Features

Rash with lichen on the genitals differs depending on the type of pathology. Manifestations of the disease in women and men may be different. Foci of the disease form both on the skin and on the mucous membrane of the genital organs.

In men

Ringworm affects the surface of the penis and its head. Mild pathology often goes away on its own. But some types of genital rash require proper and timely treatment. Such diseases include scleroatrophic and lichen planus.

The disease can manifest itself on the male genital organs with the following symptoms:

formation, papules, plaques, erosions and blisters;
changes in skin color in affected areas;
pain, especially during sexual intercourse;
itching;
pronounced inflammatory process;
decreased reproduction;
urinary disorders;
decreased level of sperm activity.

With the scleroatrophic type of lichen, atrophy of the skin and narrowing of the foreskin are often observed.

Among women

Ringworm can affect the skin area of the vulva. In this case, clusters of lesions are often observed in areas of the labia. The rash is also sometimes localized in the groin area.

At the site of the lesions occurs:

swelling of the skin;
rash character, which depends on the type of lichen;
itching sensation;
pain during sexual intercourse and urination;
dryness and flaking.

With lichen sclerosus, bleeding in the area of the lesions, coarsening and thickening of the mucosal tissues can be observed.

Ringworm in the genital area is treatable in both men and women. To speed up the recovery process and increase the effectiveness of therapeutic actions, you should contact a medical center for help at the first signs of the disease. Timely diagnosis of skin pathology on the genital organs will help to correctly prescribe treatment and reduce the risk of complications. All medications are prescribed by the attending physician.

Ringworm of the labia

1 Characteristics of genital lichen
2 Reasons for appearance
3 Is lichen in the labia area contagious?
4 Diagnosis and treatment

One of the dermatological diseases of the genital organs is lichen on the labia. The disease is characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process, irritation and rash in the genital area. The disease affects women of any age group. The lesions are localized on the labia minora, labia majora, and perineum. To effectively treat such a disease, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of the disease.

Characteristics of genital lichen

Common types of diseases affecting the lips major and minor are:

lichen planus;
simple chronic lichen.

Their main manifestations at different stages of the disease are summarized in the table:

Manifestations

Red

Simple chronic

Initial stage Small white stripes in the labia area Foci of irritation and inflammation on the mucous membrane of the vagina, in the genital area Itching, burning Completely absent Present in the vulva area Development of the disease Redness of the skin in the vestibule of the vagina, the labia minora stick together Reddened areas are covered with individual hyperpigmented reddish plaques -brown color Pain During sexual intercourse During urination and sexual intercourse Complications The vagina becomes red, its walls and lesions begin to peel off, bleed with slight touch The mucous membrane thickens, becomes rough, the walls of the vagina narrow, the rash spreads to the entire perineum

Reasons for appearance

The main reasons for the appearance of lichen in the genital area include:

constant mechanical irritation of the labia from scratching and friction;
the use of chemical sources of skin irritation: washing powders, perfume hygiene products;
chronic diseases of the reproductive system, internal organs;
weakening of the body's protective functions;
psychological stress, nervous stress.

Is lichen in the labia area contagious?

The main reason for the development of the disease is the inability of a weakened human immune system to resist external stimuli. Therefore, lichen on the labia is a non-infectious disease and is not transmitted through direct and sexual contact with infected people, as well as through the use of shared hygiene items.

Diagnosis and treatment

For diagnosis, a scraping of the lichen is taken.
The following methods are used to diagnose the disease:

Microscopy. Scrapings from the affected areas are examined under a microscope, cells characteristic of lichen are identified.
Biopsy. A laboratory analysis of plaque tissue fragments is carried out and pathological changes are determined.
Allergy tests. Allergy tests are carried out to determine the sensitivity of the human body to various allergens.

Medical therapy

The main goals of treating lichen in the genital area are:

elimination of the causes of the disease;
elimination of symptoms of the disease;
strengthening the immune system.

Effective medications and their medicinal properties in the fight against the disease are presented in the table:

Medication

Therapeutic effect

“Fluocinonide”, “Aristocort”, “Protopic” Relieve inflammation and flaking Relieve itching “Atarax”, “Benadryl” Have an antispasmodic, sympatholytic, mild analgesic effect Relieve itching and irritation “Hydrocortisone”, “Kenalog”, “Valizon” Provide anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunosuppressive effect Stop the pathological process "Clobetasol", "Triamcinolone" Eliminate allergic manifestations Prevent the development of infection Vitamin A Renews cells Normalizes the metabolic process Strengthens the immune system "Psoril" Relieves irritation and peeling of the skin Restores cells and tissues of the mucous membranes Ethacridine lactate, "Chlorhexidine" Provides antiseptic, disinfectant effect

To enhance therapeutic therapy, traditional medicine is used. Treating the affected areas with decoctions of calendula, chamomile, and horse sorrel relieves inflammation and improves the condition of the damaged areas. To prevent lichen on the labia, it is recommended to wear underwear made of high-quality natural materials, monitor genital hygiene, and use disinfectants if irritation or scratches occur. To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system and maintain personal hygiene.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of lichen in the genital area, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Eat properly. The daily diet must include foods containing minerals and vitamins. It is necessary to exclude the intake of allergenic, harmful and non-beneficial foods.
Monitor the state of immune defense. Ringworm often affects people with reduced immunity, so you need to saturate the body with vitamins, avoid stressful situations, prevent colds and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Comply with all hygiene standards. Regularly perform water procedures on the genitals. Wash your genitals only with high-quality, harmless detergents.
Regularly visually inspect the skin of the genital organs. It is quite easy to cure lichen at the initial stage. When the disease is advanced, the pathology is often accompanied by complications and can become chronic.

Rashes often form at the site of damage to the skin, so you should avoid damaging the epidermis in the genital area.

Care during illness

Ringworm on a person's genitals can have unpleasant symptoms, which are quickly eliminated with quality treatment and care.

When sick, carefully choose hypoallergenic detergents

To prevent complications of the disease, patients should follow these rules:

do not use detergents that cause allergic reactions;
avoid using scented pads;
exclude sexual contact during illness;
eat right, remove all allergens from your diet and maintain a sleep schedule;
prevent hypothermia of the body;
to refuse from bad habits;
take vitamins;
wear loose underwear made from natural materials and regularly disinfect it;
use moisturizers on affected areas of the skin;
do not scratch the skin even if it is very itchy.

Compliance with all the instructions of your doctor will help you quickly cope with the disease. Self-medication of deprivation of the genital organs can significantly aggravate the situation and cause complications.

Ringworm on the genitals often goes away without any special therapeutic action. But some of its types require complex and timely treatment. Therefore, if you have the first rash on the skin of the genital organs, you should contact a specialist at a medical center.

If you itch a lot

You cannot find a person who does not have various strange formations on the skin. There are spots that are very similar to lichen. But this is not always an indicator of deprivation.

There are many reasons for the appearance of spots on the body, including such a dangerous one as lichen. The spots will be hemorrhagic and hyperemic, causing due to persistent infectious diseases, depression, low immunity, lack of vitamins, allergies and skin rashes.

All these causes are very similar to lichen. Moreover, if these spots begin to cause severe itching, then you need to be examined in a hospital; it could be herpes, which can lead to dangerous consequences in the future.